Influence of pistil extract and temperature on in vitro pollen germination and pollen tube growth of olive cultivars

In vitro tests for pollen germination and pollen tube growth of olive cultivars were carried out with the addition of pistil extracts. Low pistil extract concentrations (.0.3–0.6 mg ml^-1 f.w.) enhanced pollen germination and pollen tube growth for the same or different cultivars. Different responses to temperature were observed when pollen and pistil extract belonged to the same or to different cultivars. The results suggest that this in vitro test could be used to assess compatibility groups between olive cultivars.